How not to behave at sunrise: a sonnet

Derek and I had been taking turns driving from Colorado to Utah for fifteen hours on Friday. We made several stops along the way, but still, it was a long, LONG drive. No need to remind anybody that I was still ill.

Derek had the brilliant idea that we should wake up at 5:30 to take sunrise pictures in Bryce Canyon, because he hates me, that's why. But I did it, even though I cried when he woke me up. It was fucking freezing, I didn't want to set up, I wanted to sleep. But we got to Sunrise Point (because we're obvious, and so is Bryce Canyon), set our gear up, and started snapping away. Everybody else, including Derek, was focusing on the immediate horizon. I was focused on...a tree. Because I'm predictable.

I got to cold and had to go back to the car before the light got REALLY good, and I was sitting in the car, watching the golden sunlight break through the trees and muttering angrily at myself for being such a god damn weenie. Frubs got the good light, though. I got the meh light. But, I was to sick and tired to wake up any of the other mornings that we set our alarms for more sunrise pictures, so I hope that photo makes up for it.

It doesn't.

GUESS WHAT? There are more trees.

This is somewhere in and about Bryce Canyon. Pretty much all of the next ones are in and about Bryce Canyon.

You know...maybe I should just visit a forest next time.

Uh...somewhere in Bryce?

The man earns his photos. No wonder he's so fucking good.

I hate this photo, if I'm being honest. I truly dislike it. But apparently, this is THE spot in Bryce Canyon. I don't understand why. It's not all that cool.

The drive back to the hotel goes through Red Canyon, which is also gorgeous, but not as congested with tourists. So we stopped there, because oddly enough, I grew tired of Bryce Canyon incredibly quickly.

We found this wash area, and I ran all the way down to find things to snap away at. IT was ever so lovely, with the fading daylight. Not quite at golden hour, but close enough to still be pretty. And obnoxious, with the shadows and the odd flatness.

It's part of a tree. The obsession still stands!!!

Red Canyon was stunning. I fucking loved it.

We ended the day at Sunset Point (I can't make this shit up. I've tried), and I spent FOREVER trying to get this one shot. I got it well enough for my tastes.

After this, it was dinner with the racketeers, then swimming, then blissful, blissful sleep.

Stay tuned for our next episode, Zion and the wonders of a bleu cheese burger in Springdale.